Why is there no Universal Definition of Operations Research? Why most of the definitions of OR are not satisfactory?
In this article, we shall discuss the reasons why most definitions of Operations Research are considered unsatisfactory.
Why Are Most Definitions of Operations Research Not Satisfactory?
There are three main reasons why most definitions of Operations Research are not completely satisfactory.
1. Operations Research Is Not a Well-Defined Science
Physical sciences such as chemistry, biology, and physics study well-defined phenomena and have established theories to explain them.
For example:
- Chemists know about atoms and molecules and have theories about their interactions.
- Biologists know about living organisms and biological processes, and have theories about vital processes.
- Physicists know about matter and energy.
However, Operations Research is not a science like any well-defined physical, biological, social phenomena. Because operations researchers do not claim to know or have theories about operations. OR does not deal with a particular physical or biological phenomenon.
Operations Research is not a scientific research into the control of operations. Instead, it is a collection of mathematical techniques, models, and analytical tools that are used along with a systems approach to solve practical decision-making problems.
It is essentially a collection of mathematical techniques and tools, which in conjunction with a system approach are applied to solve practical decision problems of an economic or engineering nature. Thus it is very difficult to define Operations Research precisely.
Therefore, it is difficult to give one precise and universally accepted definition of Operations Research.
Example
Linear Programming, Queuing Theory, Game Theory, and Inventory Models are all parts of Operations Research, but they deal with different types of problems. Hence, no single definition can adequately describe the entire subject.
2. Operations Research is Interdisciplinary in Nature
One of the most important characteristics of Operations Research is its interdisciplinary approach.
Operations Research combines knowledge from several disciplines, such as:
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Economics
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Management Science
Experts from different fields work together to develop models and procedures for solving complex problems.
In other words, OR is inherently inter-disciplinary in nature with applications not only in military and business but also in medicine, engineering, physics and so on. It makes use of experience and expertise of people from different disciplines for developing new methods and procedures.
Because of this multidisciplinary nature, many definitions fail to include this important characteristic. As a result, they provide only a partial description of Operations Research.
Hence, inter-disciplinary approach is an important characteristic of Operations Research, which is not included in most of its definitions. Hence most of the definitions are not satisfactory.
Example
In hospital management, doctors, engineers, statisticians, and administrators may work together to optimize medical services. This interdisciplinary teamwork is an essential feature of Operations Research.
3. Different Definitions Were Given at Different Stages of Development
Operations Research has developed continuously since its origin during World War II.
Most of the definitions of Operations Research have been offered at different times of development of ‘OR’ and hence are bound to emphasise its only one or the other aspect.
Many definitions were proposed at different periods of its development. Therefore, each definition tends to emphasize only one or a few aspects of Operations Research.
For example:
- Most of the above definitions are only concerned with war alone. Early definitions mainly focused on military operations.
- Some definitions emphasized scientific methodology.
- Some definitions confine ‘OR’ to be a scientific methodology applied for making operational decisions. It has no concern about the characteristics of different operational decisions and has not described how the scientific methods are applied in complicated situations.
- Others focused on optimization and decision-making.
- Modern definitions stress systems approach and quantitative analysis.
Many more definitions have been given by various authors but most of them fail to consider all basic characteristics of ‘OR’. Consequently, most definitions do not include all the basic characteristics of Operations Research.
However, with further development of ‘OR’ perhaps more precise definitions should be forthcoming. As the subject continues to evolve, more comprehensive and precise definitions may emerge in the future.
Why is there no universal definition of Operations Research?
There is no universal definition of Operations Research because:
- It is not a well-defined science like physics or chemistry.
- It is interdisciplinary in nature.
- Its scope is very broad.
- Different authors emphasize different aspects of OR.
- The subject is continuously developing.
Therefore, no single definition can completely describe all dimensions of Operations Research.
Importance of Understanding Different Definitions
Studying various definitions helps students:
- Understand the true nature of Operations Research.
- Appreciate its interdisciplinary approach.
- Recognize its wide scope and applications.
- Develop a better understanding of optimization and decision-making techniques.
Hence, instead of memorizing one definition, students should understand the basic concepts and characteristics of Operations Research.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why are most definitions of Operations Research not satisfactory?
Most definitions are not satisfactory because Operations Research is interdisciplinary, continuously evolving, and not confined to a single area of study. Therefore, no single definition can fully explain its complete nature.
Q2. Why is Operations Research difficult to define?
Operations Research is difficult to define because it is a collection of mathematical and analytical techniques rather than a separate well-defined science.
Q3. What are the main reasons behind the absence of a universal definition of OR?
The three main reasons are:
- Operations Research is not a well-defined science.
- It is interdisciplinary in nature.
- Different definitions were proposed at different stages of its development.
Q4. Is there a universally accepted definition of Operations Research?
No. There is no universally accepted definition because different authors emphasize different aspects of Operations Research.
Most definitions of Operations Research are not completely satisfactory because Operations Research is not a well-defined science, it is interdisciplinary in nature, and its definitions have evolved over time. Different authors have emphasized different aspects of the subject, making it difficult to formulate a single universal definition. Therefore, understanding the characteristics, objectives, and applications of Operations Research is more important than relying on any one definition.
References
- Hamdy A. Taha, Operations Research: An Introduction, 10th Edition, Pearson Education.
- Kanti Swarup, P. K. Gupta and Man Mohan, Operations Research, Sultan Chand & Sons.
- J. K. Sharma, Operations Research: Theory and Applications, Macmillan India.
- Frederick S. Hillier and Gerald J. Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, McGraw-Hill Education.
- H. M. Wagner, Principles of Operations Research, Prentice Hall.
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